LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today released the following statement in response to the State Health Planning Board's decision to hold a special public meeting, Thursday December 16th, to consider RWJ Barnabas Health's proposal to move Monmouth Medical Center hospital from Long Branch to Tinton Falls:
"At their last meeting on December 4th, the state health planning board echoed the concerns of community members who spoke out against the proposed removal of Monmouth Medical Center hospital from Long Branch. The Board had several questions about health disparities in the Long Branch area, transportation, and the impact on nearby hospitals and whether RWJ Barnabas Health would keep medical services in Long Branch long-term.
The Board asked serious questions that deserve answers with full analysis so we can better understand the impact of RWJ Barnabas' proposal. Instead of moving the hospital away from families who need it most, the State should invest in a solution that works for everyone.
As I have said from the beginning of this process, I continue to try and find a path forward in Long Branch to keep critical inpatient and outpatient acute care services with a full-service emergency department. We had a compromise that achieved that objective and if there's enough political will, we can make it a reality."
Pallone has led opposition to RWJ Barnabas Health's plan to close Monmouth Medical Center hospital in Long Branch from day one, arguing that the plan would worsen health care outcomes for area residents and deepen the national health care crisis for the region.
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